Bedford prays for boy, 6, killed in Highway 101 crash

Community members gathered in Bedford, N.S. Wednesday night to mourn for the families affected by a crash on Highway 101 that claimed the life of a six-year-old-boy earlier this week.

The child was travelling in a mini-van driven by a family friend.

"It's difficult for both families, it really is. I was with them, one of our parishioners in the hospital. It's something that no one ever expects," said Father Patrick Cosgrove, the priest at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church.

Cosgrove said the news of a boy's death spread quickly and the loss is affecting the entire community.

The child's name has not been released.

Police said speed was a factor in the crash. The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 59-year-old from Montreal, was originally charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. Following the boy's death, that charge was upgraded to dangerous driving causing death.

John Profit is a different tractor-trailer driver.

"Its getting worse and worse and worse. A lot of close calls, people being careless," said Profit.

Tammy Mercier said she tries to drive defensively.

"Don't go too fast, nothing is ever that important," she said.

Police warn drivers to be cautious

It was Nova Scotias second fatal crash in as many days.

A man died when his SUV collided with a car near Lawrencetown Beach.

RCMP Cpl. Scott MacRae said most accidents can be blamed on speed, alcohol, aggression or distraction.

"If we can take some good out of a bad incident and remind ourselves of those four key elements," he said.

He said people should do basic checks before they hit the highways.

"Tires are inflated, the lights, brakes are working. These sound like very simple, common sense statements, but that usually after the fact investigators will find out one extra step was not taken."

There were 82 road deaths in 2012, up 17 from the previous year.